The art of the egg

Decorating and painting eggs as a decorative element of Easter has a long and widespread tradition. In Africa, the original processing of ostrich eggs is an art that is now also attracting attention in Germany.

Beautifully decorated eggs

The origin of the custom of colorfully and imaginatively decorating eggs at Easter and giving them away as gifts dates back to the 12th century in Europe. In Africa, the surfaces of ostrich eggs were processed in an extraordinary way by the Bushmen of the Nalib and Kalahari deserts. Today a well-valued and world-famous handicraft has arisen from this custom.

Colorful decorated eggs

The beautiful and exquisitely shiny pieces of this extravagant art are attracting a great deal of attention and recognition at international exhibitions. Many of these masterpieces are truly unique and therefore have a very high value as valuable collector’s items.

The extravagant art of the egg

Numerous European artists are also inspired by African scenes, which serve them as motifs or suggestions for decorating the surface of the egg. Africa’s animal world or wild safaris present themselves splendidly to the viewer in polished, colorful or black and white designs. These highly polished masterpieces majestically decorate every room and create a special atmosphere. With a lot of patience and attention to detail, even fairytale jewelry boxes are handcrafted from the simple ostrich eggs.

Faberge exhibition was opened in Turin

The artists get these large eggs from African ostrich farms with species-appropriate animal husbandry.

This art requires special skills

The eggs, which weigh up to 2.2 kilograms and are almost 17 centimeters high, are then processed with great care and skill. Since no two eggs are the same in shape and size, the production of the individual pieces requires real instinct and detailed work.

First, the eggs are painted with special colors and thus prepared for taking the picture. Applying the motif evenly to the curved surface of the egg requires special craftsmanship that has been acquired over many years. More than fifty layers of lacquer are applied in a time-consuming process to protect the image. Finally, a sealing layer of varnish is applied, which gives the eggs a wonderful shine.

Each decorative egg is a one-off, hand-signed by the artist, which represents a unique reminder of the African heritage paired with European design.